ROYAL MAIL PLANS SET TO BE EXAMINED

The possible closure of the Royal Mail sorting office in Margate is set to be examined further by Thanet District Council.

The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel, which met on Tuesday (20 July), decided that this was an issue that they wanted to look more closely at, as they were worried about the prospect of job losses and the quality of service. They also voiced concerns that, if these proposals go ahead, the nearest sorting office to Margate would be located at Maidstone. The Panel is to ask Royal Mail to send a representative to its next meeting in September to explain the proposals and answer questions.

Other issues set to be examined during 2010/11 include the development of a Master Plan for the Port of Ramsgate and Royal Harbour Marina. Members wanted to see a progress report from this Working Party at the Panel’s next meeting in September, with an update on where the project was.

Other Working Parties will continue to look at the council’s asset management programme, the council’s budget, the Thanet Works scheme, the Thanet Community Safety Partnership, museums, shared services, the airport, how seaweed is dealt with by the council and the council’s management of the Coach House in Northdown Park.

Cllr. Mike Harrison, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, said: “I’m keen for the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel to look at issues outside of the council, focusing on things that affect the wider community. It seems that the issue of what will happen to the Royal Mail sorting office falls into that category perfectly and members agreed. I look forward to hearing more from the Royal Mail at our next meeting about what they’re proposing and the impact it will have on our area.”